Some would say cute puppies and kittens have animal magnetism. Others might say their significant others or favorite celebrities have animal magnetism. No matter who you think has qualities of magnetism, the origins of the phrase and recent research into the theory might surprise you. Animal magnetism is used today to describe a person’s ability to attract others with only their presence. Franz Mesmer first coined it in the 18th century, but he wasn’t referring to people’s charisma. Mesmer was a German doctor who believed animals possessed a natural force that could be used for healing. His theories led to the practice of mesmerism, which is a form of hypnosis as you can see pictured above. While Mesmer’s theories and mesmerism were discredited and forgotten, people still use the phrase to describe someone’s attractiveness or charisma. The term biomagnetism also may have origins linked with animal magnetism. Biomagnetism proved to be more scientific and accurate than Mesmer’s animal magnetism.

What Is Biomagnetism?

Biomagnetism describes the study of organisms’ ability to generate magnetic fields and is different from magnetobiology, which studies the effects of magnetic fields on organisms. Due to the electrical activity of the brain and the heart, researchers suspected a real version of animal magnetism might exist although one without hypnotic effects. In 1963, Gerard Baule and Richard McFee of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Syracuse University published a recording of a human magnetocardiogram. A magnetocardiogram is a measurement of a heart’s magnetic field. Baule and McFee accomplished this by positioning two large induction coils over the chest.

Biomagnetism and Medicine Today

While Mesmer’s ideas on the medicinal aspect of animal magnetism were inaccurate, biomagnetism is proving more relevant to medicine. Recently, researchers at Tohoku University were able to detect the biomagnetic field of the heart using a TMR device. The TMR or tunnel magnetoresistance device allowed them to study the magnetism and electric activity of the heart in a relaxed environment at room temperature. The high-sensitivity device could help diagnose heart conditions such as coronary heart disease. Because the brain and the heart produce such weak magnetic fields, it has always been difficult to detect and measure them. But as more studies are conducted on the magnetic fields produced by people, scientists expect biomagnetism to help with medical treatments and preventative health care. So, while everyone has 'animal magnetism' of their own, it’s not a strong magnetic force and is undetectable without a powerful magnetic device. A person's magnetic field might not help them attract other people, but it could help doctors make more accurate diagnoses.   Image by Welcome Images